The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mysticism in English Literature
by Caroline F. E. Spurgeon

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Title: Mysticism in English Literature

Author: Caroline F. E. Spurgeon

Release Date: April 7, 2004 [EBook #11935]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Mysticism in English Literature

By

Caroline F. E. Spurgeon

"Many are the thyrsus-bearers, but few are the mystics"

Phaedo

Mysticism in English Literature

Note

The variety of applications of the term "mysticism" has forced me to
restrict myself here to a discussion of that philosophical type of
mysticism which concerns itself with questions of ultimate reality. My
aim, too, has been to consider this subject in connection with great
English writers. I have had, therefore, to exclude, with regret, the
literature of America, so rich in mystical thought.

I wish to thank Mr John Murray for kind permission to make use of an
article of mine which appeared in the _Quarterly Review_, and also Dr
Ward and Mr Waller for similar permission with regard to certain
passages in a chapter of the _Cambridge History of English Literature_,
vol. ix.

I am also indebted to Mr Bertram Dobell, Messrs Longmans, Green, Mrs
Coventry Patmore and Mr Francis Meynell for most kindly allowing me to
quote from the works respectively of Thomas Traherne, Richard Jefferies,
Coventry Patmore, and Francis Thompson.

C.F.E.S.

_April_ 1913.

Contents

I. Introduction

Definition of Mysticism. The Early Mystical Writers. Plato.
Plotinus. Chronological Sketch of Mystical Thought in England.

II. Love and Beauty Mystics

Shelley, Rossetti, Browning, Coventry Patmore, and Keats.

III. Nature Mystics

Henry Vaughan, Wordsworth, Richard Jefferies.

IV. Philosophical Mystics

(i) _Poets._--Donne, Traherne, Emily Bronte, Tennyson.

(ii) _Prose Writers._--William Law, Burke, Coleridge, Carlyle.

V. Devotional and Religious Mystics

The Early English Writers: Richard Rolle and Julian; Crashawe,
Herbert, and Christo